S I P A R I ®
evidence-based music-supported therapy
for patients suffering from chronic aphasia
Information for Patients
Group Therapy
SIPARI®
is
a
directed
music-supported
treatment
approach
developed
to
improve
language
and
speech
capabilities
of
patients
suffering
from
chronic
aphasia.
SIPARI®
was
developed
by
Dr.
Jungblut
and
was
first
tried
and
tested
in
cooperation
with
the
Medical
Faculty
of
the
University
of
Witten-Herdecke,
Germany.
In
a
controlled
group-study
with
patients
suffering
from
chronic
non-fluent
aphasia
(average
duration
of
aphasia:
11
years)
significant
improvements
of
75%
of
all
patients
were
assessed
by
a
standardized
language
procedure,
the
Aachener
Aphasie
Test
(AAT).
In
2010
the
Cochrane
Review
“Music
therapy
for
acquired
brain
injury”
included
this
controlled
SIPARI®
group-study.
In
international
comparison,
this
was
the
only
study,
which
provided
evidence
that
this
specifically
targeted
music-supported
treatment
significantly
improved
the
speech
profile
of
people
with
chronic
aphasia.
(Bradt
J,
Magee
WL,
Dileo
C,
Wheeler
BL,
McGilloway
E.
Music
therapy
for
acquired
brain
injury.
Cochrane
Database
of
Systematic
Reviews
2010, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD006787. DOI: 10.1002/14651858. CD006787.pub2.)
Meanwhile
further
single
case
studies
substantiate
the
extraordinary
efficacy
of
SIPARI®
in
the
treatment
of
severely
impaired
chronic
aphasia
patients
and
also
patients
who
additionally suffer from apraxia of speech.
In
the
SIPARI®
group
therapy,
patients
are
joined
together
according
to
their
aphasia
syndrome
in
order
to
allow
an
effective
training.
Thus,
communication
between
group
members
is
supported
and
social
competence
strengthened.
According
to
our
research,
this
helps
patients
to
overcome
their
speech
inhibitions and improve their everyday communication.
Music
and
language
consist
of
melodic
and
rhythmic
elements,
although
these
basic
components
are
differently
emphasized.
Undoubtedly,
the
human
voice
represents
the
most
direct
connection
between
music
and
language.
Starting
from
singing
towards
intonation
up
to
prosody,
the
human
voice
takes
over
a
bridging
function,
which
combines
rhythmic
and
melodic
components
in
a
unique
manner
because
transitions
can
be
produced
step
by
step.
Therefore,
specifically
targeted
rhythmic-
melodic
voice
training
represents
the
starting
point
of
the
SIPARI® method.
Apart
from
the
voice,
further
instruments
are
used.
Rhythmic
cognition
trainings,
which
are
performed
on
instruments,
vocally
or
in
combination
serve
to
encourage
planning
and
sequencing
performance.
Another
basic
component
of
this
method
constitutes
joint
instrument
playing
on
instruments,
which
can
be
used
without
any
musical
experience.
These
communication
trainings
support
social
interaction
but
also
promote
cognitive
functions
(e.g. attention, working memory).
Treatment
objectives
using
SIPARI®
include
improving
linguistic,
motor,
and
cognitive
functions
and
thereby
supporting
speech-
motor
processes
and
those
speech-systematic
processes
that
encourage planning and sequencing performance.
Understandably,
group
therapy
focuses
on
interactive
and
communicative
aspects
among
the
group
members
themselves
supported
by
training
together.
Individual
therapy
puts
the
main
emphasis
on
specific
treatment
of
the
respective
language
and
speech-motor
impairment.
The
combination
of
individual
and
group
therapy
proved
to
be
particularly
effective
(see
controlled
group-study, Cochrane Review).
In
order
to
intensify
motor
and
cognitive
improvement,
training-
CDs
and
DVDs
can
be
purchased
for
home
training
from
therapists who successfully completed the SIPARI® training.
If you have further questions, please contact
Dr. rer. medic. Monika Jungblut
The
SIPARI®
therapy
was
developed
by
Dr.
Jungblut
and
is
applied
exclusively
by
trained
and
certified
therapists
or
Dr.
Jungblut
herself.
Those,
who
are
interested
in
this
treatment
should
check
that
the
providing
therapist
successfully completed the SIPARI® trainings
.